Taxing the limits

[Percy]

I had to cut  a bunch of 12x12x12 sitka spruce curbing for a logging bridge...12x12s outof 22 inch logs makes for much side lumber that will probably be the wrong size for the next customer....so I went to the "big" log pile....30 inch plus...and made the 12x12s, 4 pieces at a time....

There is only so much room on the LT70 throat.
 

 





Making them 4 at a time is fast.....if you dont get hung up. My door latch thingies were rubbing on the cant...but...see next pic


 





Wane is my new friend.....normally I dont like visits from him....but the log trucks arnt gonna mind....and a good bridge builder will hide my new buddy 
 

 

[ladylake]

 I thought a LT 70 had more capacity than that, are the newer ones bigger.   Steve

[Percy]

I thought a LT 70 had more capacity than that, are the newer ones bigger.   Steve

The newer wide heads are. This unit is 13 years old   

[starmac]

This is probably a stupid question, and I know the grain is straighter in sitka spruce.

Does it not hurt to split the pith in sitka spruce when making thae bigger beams?
Everything I have read has called for boxing the heart for beams, but don't see much concerning spruce, especially sitka.

[Percy]

This is probably a stupid question, and I know the grain is straighter in sitka spruce.

Does it not hurt to split the pith in sitka spruce when making thae bigger beams?
Everything I have read has called for boxing the heart for beams, but don't see much concerning spruce, especially sitka.

Not a stupid question by any means. These timbers are being used for bridge curbing. They are drilled and bolted down with big 1 inch bolts. They are replaced every 5 years or so due to grader damage, rot, etc.  At 12 feet in length, if they do bow, it is minimal as they are 12 inches x12 inches. . If I were cutting for a timber framer, I would do things differently.